Conjugation

Understand

comprendre

Irregular verb.

  • Like stand

    This verb conjugates like stand: understood, understood.

  • A state, not an action

    understand usually describes a state, so it rarely takes the -ing tenses: I understand, not I’m understanding.

In speech, the helping verbs shorten: I’m, he’s, we’re, I’ve, I’ll, I’d.

Newbie

Enough to talk about now, the past, and your plans, and to give instructions.

  1. Present simple

    Habits, facts, and how things usually are. To say no or ask, add do or does: I don't understand, he doesn't understand.

    1. I / you / we / they understand
    2. he / she / it understands

  2. Present continuous

    What is happening now, and plans already arranged: we’re leaving tomorrow.

    1. I am understanding
    2. you / we / they are understanding
    3. he / she / it is understanding

  3. Past simple

    A finished action at a past time: yesterday, in 2020. To say no or ask, add did: I didn't understand.

    1. I / you / he / she / it / we / they understood

  4. Future with going to

    Plans and intentions, and what you can see coming: it’s going to rain.

    1. I am going to understand
    2. you / we / they are going to understand
    3. he / she / it is going to understand

  5. Imperative

    Orders, advice, and instructions. Let’s suggests doing it together. To say no: don't understand.

    1. (you) understand
    2. let's understand